On December 8, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt
delivered his "Day of Infamy" speech before a joint
session of Congress.

The fledgling United States Marine Corps proved its dauntless
courage with a "miracle" victory in the Battle of Derna on the
shores of Tripoli in North Africa on this day in history, April 27,
1805.

The successful attack against overwhelming numbers on the
port city in present-day Libya, a stronghold of pirates who
Spent years attacking United States ships at sea, was the
climactic battle of the First Barbary War (1801-05).

The victory is immortalized in a patriotic American anthem.

"From the Halls of Montezuma/To the Shores of Tripoli/
We fight our country’s battles/In the air, on land and sea,"
proclaims the rousing opening lyrics of "The Marines’ Hymn".

During the Texan War for Independence, the Texas militia under
Sam Houston launched a surprise attack against the forces of
Mexican General Santa Anna along the San Jacinto River.

The Mexicans were thoroughly defeated, and hundreds were
taken prisoner, including General Santa Anna himself.

Battle was reportedly won in 18 minutes by a Texas militia
numbering 910.

Samuel Houston
(March 2, 1793 – July 26, 1863)

Gen. Santa Anna
(21 February 1794 – 21 June 1876)

ROSS SIMPSON

On March 19, 2003, the United States, along with coalition
forces primarily from the United Kingdom, initiated war on
Iraq. Just after explosions began to rock Baghdad, Iraq’s
capital, U.S. President George W. Bush announced in a 
TV address (below), “At this hour, American and coalition 
forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm
Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave 
danger.” President Bush and his  advisors built much of their 
case for war on the specious claim that Iraq, under dictator 
Saddam Hussein, possessed or was in the process of building 
weapons of mass destruction.